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Hyperactivity of granule cells in the ventral dentate gyrus (vDG) promotes vulnerability to chronic stress. However, which receptors in the vDG could be targeted to inhibit this hyperactivity and confer stress resilience is not known. The serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT 1A R) is a G i protein–coupled inhibitory receptor that has been implicated in stress adaptation, anxiety, depression, and antidepressant responses. 5-HT 1A Rs are highly expressed in the DG, but their potential to promote stress resilience by regulating granule cell activity has never been examined. We exposed male and female mice expressing 5-HT 1A Rs only in DG granule cells to 10 days of chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) and treated them with the 5-HT 1A R agonist 8-OH-DPAT every day 30 minutes before each defeat throughout the CSDS paradigm. We then used whole-cell current clamp recordings, immunohistochemistry for the immediate early gene cFos, corticosterone immunoassays, and behavioral testing to determine how activating 5-HT 1A Rs on granule cells affects DG activity, neuroendocrine stress responses, and avoidance behavior. We found that activating 5-HT 1A Rs hyperpolarized DG granule cells and reduced cFos+ granule cells in the vDG following CSDS, indicating that 5-HT 1A R activation rescued stress-induced vDG hyperactivity. Moreover, 5-HT 1A R activation dampened corticosterone responses to CSDS and prevented the development of stress-induced avoidance in the social interaction test and in the open field test. Our findings show that activating 5-HT 1A Rs on DG granule cells can prevent stress-induced neuronal hyperactivity of the vDG and confer resilience to chronic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes between women with placenta accreta and placenta increta or percreta. Methods: This was a single institution retrospective cohort study of women with abnormal placentation (placenta accreta, increta, and percreta) who delivered from 1982-2002. Cases were divided into superficial invasion (placenta accreta) and deep invasion (placenta increta or percreta), and compared. The primary outcomes studied were gestational age at delivery, birth weight, and size for gestational age. Results: 103 viable pregnancies with abnormal placentation were observed (1.6/1000 pregnancies). Cases of deep invasion had higher parity and were more likely to have had a prior cesarean delivery. The mean gestational age at delivery was 33 5/7 weeks with deep placental invasion and 35 2/7 weeks in the superficial invasion group ( p = 0.18). Rates of preterm birth were 64.7% and 52.3% ( p = 0.43) and low birthweight were 24% and 29% ( p = 0.76) in the deep and superficial invasion groups respectively. There were no differences in the remaining outcomes. Conclusions: Neonatal outcomes of pregnancies complicated by placenta increta and percreta are not different than those with placenta accreta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research provides strong evidence for improvements in depressive symptoms as a result of physical activity participation in many populations including pregnant and post-partum women. Little is known about how women who have experienced stillbirth (defined as fetal death at 20 or more weeks of gestation) feel about physical activity or use physical activity following this experience. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore women's beliefs about physical activity following a stillbirth. Methods: This was an exploratory qualitative research study. Participants were English-speaking women between the ages of 19 and 44 years who experienced a stillbirth in the past year from their recruitment date. Interviews were conducted over the phone or in-person based on participants' preferences and location of residence and approximately 30-45 minutes in length. Results: Twenty-four women participated in the study (M age = 33 ± 3.68 years; M time since stillbirth = 6.33 ± 3.06 months). Women's beliefs about physical activity after stillbirth were coded into the following major themes: barriers to physical activity (emotional symptoms and lack of motivation, tired, lack of time, guilt, letting go of a pregnant body, and seeing other babies), benefits to physical activity (feeling better emotionally/mentally, helping women to cope or be therapeutic), importance of physical activity (working through grief, time for self), motivators for physical activity (body shape/weight, health, more children, be a role model, already an exerciser). Health care providers and their role in physical activity participation was also a major theme. Conclusions: This is the first study to qualitatively explore beliefs about physical activity in women after a stillbirth. Women who have experienced stillbirth have unique beliefs about physical activity related to their experience with stillbirth. Findings from this study may help to improve the health and quality of life for women who have experienced stillbirth by utilizing physical activity as a strategy for improving depressive symptoms associated with experiencing a stillbirth. Future research in this area is highly warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To assess the contraception and fertility counseling provided to women with solid organ transplants. METHODS: A telephone survey of 309 women aged 19-49 years who had received a solid organ transplant at the University of Nebraska Medical Center was performed. Of the 309 eligible women, 183 responded. Patients were asked 19 questions regarding pretransplant and posttransplant fertility awareness and contraception counseling. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Patients had undergone a variety of solid organ transplantations: 40% kidney (n=73); 32% liver (n=59); 6% pancreas (n=11); 5% heart (n=9); 3% intestine (n=5); and 14% multiple organs (n=26). Before their transplantations, 79 women (44%) reported they were not aware that a woman could become pregnant after transplantation. Only 66 women aged 13 and older at the time of transplantation reported that a health care provider discussed contraception before transplantation. Approximately half of women surveyed were using a method of contraception. Oral contraceptive pills were the most commonly recommended method. Twenty-two of the 31 pregnancies after organ transplantation were planned, which is higher than that of the general population. CONCLUSION: Few women with transplants are educated regarding the effect of organ transplantation on fertility and are not routinely counseled about contraception or the potential for posttransplant pregnancy. Health care providers should incorporate contraceptive and fertility counseling as part of routine care for women with solid organ transplants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]